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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

No Red Bull!

You want to know what is really controversial at the moment in France? The Tour de France and its usual dopage (doping?) problems? The recent changes in the French constitution? Nope! It's an Austrian/Thai energy drink called Red Bull that France was denied the right to ban by Brussels, the European authorities! Why did we want to ban it? Because it contains taurine, an acid originally derived from bull tissues which effect on the human organism is not really known... I thought of illustrating this capital piece of news with this superb statue that I found in the 15th arrondissement, at the Parc Georges Brassens, built on a previous slaughter house.

60 comments:

Hmm, this is interesting! Many US teenagers drink Red Bull and Mountain Dew. I wasn't aware of the French controversy regarding the drink. Never have personally tried it...and from your description of it, I think I'll stick to my Gatorade!

I knew it was banned in France, but I did not know it was because it contained taurine... I tested once and anyway did not like it, taste like hell, so sweety, yak ! Looking at Taurine Wikipedia definition, it is quite amazing to see how chemical it is and where it is used, besided energy drinks... Cheers, Loic http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com

Eric, I almost forgot to say the photo of the Taureaux from Auguste Caïn is great. I have "discovered" for the first time the parc G Brassens during my long weekend - before going to Paris Plage on Monday midday ;-) . So much things to see in Paris, my feet still remember...

I didn't know till now that the article I read about Red Bull was influenced by what is happening in Europe. It said what you said Eric, that the substance was originally derived from bull tissues. If I am not mistaking, it uses a synthetic one now.

With all the work you are having currently, Eric (and i am not joking), plus PDP, plus all what we don't know about you, that drink is for you, isn't it? ;) But even if Brussels lastly allowed it in France, don't drink it too much? I wouldn't like you to become completely Red Bull!! ;) Beautiful photo though!!!

That is such a fun photo and what a controversy! I too have never tried Red Bull, but I have seen it in the grocery store. I don't think I would like it if it is sweet. I'm more of a Caffeine free Diet Coke kind of girl!

Have never tried this stuff, because I don't do caffeine. Suposedly Red Bull increases your metabolism (at least temporarily), which doesn't strike me as a bad thing. However . . .It's funny that they're making such a big deal about it, but you found the perfect photo to illustrate this "hot" topic, Eric -- comme toujours!

Parc George Brassens? built on a slaughter house? hmmm... sounds like one of these things done in the 80's?

Oh, yeah, here we go:

In the past, the place where the Parc Georges Brassens is now located was part of the old hamlet of Vaugirard, which was incorporated into Paris in 1860. Vineyards, and then market gardening followed one another before the establishment of abattoirs between 1894 and 1974.After their destruction, a park of large dimensions (8.7 hectares) was laid out and opened in 1984. The park is named George Brassens as the singer lived in a nearby house at 42 rue Santos-Dumont. The park_s entrance is surrounded by imposing bulls, created by the animal sculptor Auguste-Nicolas Cain. The magnificent steel frame of the "horses hall", the belfry, and many other architectural elements are from the abattoirs, and were integrated into the park. A wooded hill, surmounted by a belvedere, dominates the park which is provided with playgrounds for children, a "rock-school" for climbing, and a bandstand.highlights: a rose garden, vineyards, a scented garden ( 80 species of odoriferous plants), and a bee hive are also part of the visit. Antique book market in an adjoining space.

From Parisinfo.com

(By the way, never tried red bull, but I've been to their air race before and these planes are really pretty cool

Carrie...thanks! Really can't remember the last time I wore the crown. Alexa and US Elaine have dominated GF so much lately that any thoughts of ever wearing GF were truly far from my mind. They must have been out of blog for a Red Bull or were shooting it as I punched the final key stroke today. BTW Guille and Tall Gary...today was my first day with my Japanese high school students and teachers (14 of them), and I'm tired from walking and talking and bowing. I'll be a better American host tomorrow. ;-)

Eric -- I just reread the blurb beneath today's photo and you talk about the recent changes to the French Constitution. Can you tell us what the changes were -- sounds like they maybe that should have been controversial and instead got overshadowed in that oh-so-usual-media-going-for-the-sensational-story-over-the-important-story kind of way.

Yikes! I'm not into ingesting products with unknown long term effects. Not that I never eat or drink anything that would cause ill health, I just like clarity.Eric, I am glad you are inspired by this wonderful statue. Your photographic eye is what is superb!

I was watching a hyperactive politician give a speech on TV. He was scanning a tele-prompter and frenetically mouthing the made-up words without really knowing, understanding, or even believing what he was saying. I consider that it was all just read bull.

(That's such a long way to go for so meager a destination).

Coltrane, if any of your new Japanese acquaintances would like an English or Japanese language pen pal 辞書を調べたら全然正しくない日本語が書けるけどなんとなく伝えたい意味が理解出来るかも知れませんですが。Anyway, thanks for the heads up. I hope you never need anyone to mediate any conflicts. However, a shoulder to complain on? I'd consider it.

Tall Gary...I'll definitely pass along your message. They're really a great bunch. I've been working with these high school and university groups from the Tokyo area since 1992 and must say, they are a true delight to host each summer! BTW...over the years, I've never grown too fond of their sour umeboshi. Do you like these pickled plums?

When I had a homestay in Japan I picked up a box of huge umeboshi that I saw in Ginza and gave them as a gift to my homestay hosts. They were too much even for them. "You like these things? Aren't they a little too sour for you? You really like these things?" they asked. "Hhew." I think I ate most of them, getting at least one a day at meals. "Oh, yum yum." I feigned, until it was no longer feigning.

Hehe nice picture to speak about Red Bull.I used to drink a lot of it when I was young and stupid. With my friends we spent our holidays near the Spain border (it was allowed there) and bought hundreds of them. It's really BAD for the health, I swear, a friend of mine didn't sleep for 3 days and felt really bad. If you add strong alcohol in it, it's even worse...

It's now allowed in France but you have to know that there is no taurine anymore in it. That's why it's not a problem, but it stays a drink very special and very hard for the heart. I heard on the radio that more than 2 Red Bull a day is dangerous.

Morale: 2 Red Bulls a day don't keep the doctor away.

Coltrane, GF, high five!I know what you mean by bowing LOOOL. Gosh, my shoulders and neck are so painful because of it! ;)I have NEVER met people like the Japanese, their kindness and politeness are incredible.I got a lot of presents from people I nearly didn't know.

Tall Gary, to answer your yesterday's question: it was a 10 days trip! I left on a satudray morning and came back yesterday night. No way to shorten my trip!! It was so nice. I like umeboshi, I ate them for the breakfast at the hotel. :)

Hi Eric.. I visit ur blog almost everyday to see you pictures. I love all of them and small text you write below it. Anything abt France increases my interest. I truly loved the country.. I was on France, Rueil for a month, 2 yrs back, for some official work. City gave me lots of love even in such a short period, that I will have the nice memories all my life.. And yes… There are LOTS of friendly perisians :), who helped me when I was there. I had great time there.Nice blog, friend.. :)

I can't remember the medieval church located in France, but they incorporated the cows into the architecture because the townspeople were so grateful to these creatures; they were such an intergral part of the undertaking. Interesting to know that Parc Georges Brassens has a contemporary spin on the same theme.

Goodness. I love Red Bull. I don't drink it often but the taste is yummy. I could go on and on about it but it would be a blatant attempt for the company to give me one of its advertising Minis with a huge Red Bull can on top of it! It would be too obvious of me....

lol your description is a bit shocking though. I didn't know that content i just assumed that the caffeine was the bad part. I shall tell my sons who also drink it.

Um... Red Bull company...? I could look good in one of those minis..... :)

Lois and From Cali!!!!!!!!!!I know you´ll find this ridiculous but only today did I see your b´day cards...! I´m so sorry not to have replied earlier, but I kid you not when I say I have no internet access at home for the moment, so the only site I try to make sure I check everyday is PDP (can´t live without it). I´m not checking my email daily so it took me ages to see your sweet birthday cards.

Thank you soooo much!!!! You´re all very sweet!!! I loved the message!!!

My daughter likes Red Bull a lot. She said when she was in Iraq she would drink about four a day. She thinks it tastes good. She also said that it has about 30% sugar in it; no bull tissues. Maybe in the beginning -- not now though.

I like Dr. Pepper and vanilla coke. I rarely drink soda though -- I prefer wine with my dinner.

Plus, corn syrup and fructose are the fast track to diabetes. And they are in just about everything you buy from the industrial food manufacturers. Bread, catsup, soft drinks, soups. America's gift to world cuisine. Obesity.

Thanks, Lois Simon, for the link -- it was really helpful for a novice like me. I didn't know our constitutions were so different and had no idea such big changes were afoot for France. I'd like to see a criminal court in action when I go to Paris in the fall (if one can do that). So, I'm trying to read about the system and see how I can do that.

Very interesting Eric. I love that you found an appropriate photograph for your story too.I knew about the link to taurine in cats diets which is one of the reasons all of the cats are given dried food as well as other protein sources. The dried food contains taurine whereas chicken does not (I don't think anyway), and I'm not sure about beef mince or kangaroo.I read the Wikipedia link - there was a piece about it preventing muscle fatigue during bursts of strenuous exercise. So, I wonder how the Belgians are doing in the Tour?